Thinking about upgrading from Taranis

[mliebs]

I'm thinking about upgrading from a Taranis X9D to a Spektrum DX9 or possibly even the DX18. I'll be using the radio or my 250 racing quad and Goblin helicopter but I'm not sure if upgrading would be worth the additional cost. Can someone give me some of the advantages of going to the Spektrum radio vs what I already have? I do like the idea of being able to add satellites to my Goblin but I'm not really sure if they're needed.

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by mliebs

I'm thinking about upgrading from a Taranis X9D to a Spektrum DX9 or possibly even the DX18. I'll be using the radio or my 250 racing quad and Goblin helicopter but I'm not sure if upgrading would be worth the additional cost. Can someone give me some of the advantages of going to the Spektrum radio vs what I already have? I do like the idea of being able to add satellites to my Goblin but I'm not really sure if they're needed.

In my opinion, DX9 from Taranis X9D is not an upgrade, it's a downgrade.

What are your issues/limitations with the Taranis that you are looking to the Spektrum DX series to fix?

PM me if you have any Taranis programming issues (I can usually help out).

Spektrum DX9 advantages:
- Send in for support if issues.
- Easier programming for standard style models.
- Greater installed base, so more at-field support.
- Internal DSMX (lower latency)
- Inbuilt wireless buddy box with other DSMX transmitters.
- Good resale value

Taranis advantages (over DX9):
- More flexible programming (eg. change volume while in TH vs not in TH, or program an auto-bailout in the TX when the ESC does not support it, or ....)
- Cheaper receivers (with telemetry & sBus).
- Cheaper transmitter ($300 - Taranis Plus vs $450 DX9)
- More channels (16 physical + 16 virtual).
- Each component user replaceable (gimbals, main board, switches, etc..)
- Computer programming and testing of all functions
- Computer interface for simulation on a regular USB cable.
- More protocols than internal (ie. DSMX, FAAST, and more through module bay).
- Wireless buddy box thought module bay on any protocol (user supplied module to read incoming signal)
- LUA programming if you cannot do a function with regular programming.
- Can add boost components and/or upgraded antennas to make produce a stronger signal (greater distance - but be mindful of regulations ).


I sold my DX8 + AR8000 + TM1000 second hand and had enough money to buy new Taranis + case + DSMX module + 2 RX's + telemetry sensors and had money left over. (In Aus, You can get 2 Taranis (A$289) almost the cost of one DX9 (A$550)).

btw, Adding sats to the Goblin will not necessarily not increase signal strength reception over Taranis with FrSky RX. Antenna length and placement makes enormous differences in both cases. (also with Taranis, signal strength telemetry (built into every FrSky RX) can be programmed in the TX to alert you if the signal strength starts to get low).

[justinspicer]

Open tx has a lot of options. The programming menus leave a lot to be desired. The hardware is cheap.
With a radio you get what you pay for.
Just feel the gymbals on any new JR transmitter. No comparison.

[TACO88]

I started with a JR X9303, then upgraded to a FrySky DJT 2.4 module to get into the 2.4 gHz frequency. Was one of the first to order the Taranis. It had a lot of options, but just like justinspicer said, its programming menus leave a lot to be desired. Sold the Taranis and upgraded to a JR XG11MV with DMSS. It took me a day in learning to program it. The menu was easy to go thru, just like my 9303 and I love its large screen. Got me a JR XG14 as a back up radio and this had very good gimbals on it, but I still love my XG11. So I started with JR, went to a Taranis, but went back to a JR. Been using it on 3 of my helis and I love the feel of it, how it looks, and how easy it is to program. The Taranis just feels so cheap, and was so darn hard to understand and program. And yes there is just no comparison between my old Taranis and the JR XG11MV.

[HarryR]

Originally Posted by TACO88

I started with a JR X9303, then upgraded to a FrySky DJT 2.4 module to get into the 2.4 gHz frequency. Was one of the first to order the Taranis. It had a lot of options, but just like justinspicer said, its programming menus leave a lot to be desired. Sold the Taranis and upgraded to a JR XG11MV with DMSS. It took me a day in learning to program it. The menu was easy to go thru, just like my 9303 and I love its large screen. Got me a JR XG14 as a back up radio and this had very good gimbals on it, but I still love my XG11. So I started with JR, went to a Taranis, but went back to a JR. Been using it on 3 of my helis and I love the feel of it, how it looks, and how easy it is to program. The Taranis just feels so cheap, and was so darn hard to understand and program. And yes there is just no comparison between my old Taranis and the JR XG11MV.

Shows you how little I know... being a Spektrum user ( DX8) , I had no idea that the JR would be compatible with Spektrum, so I checked HH's site and although it states that they are using the same technology and suggest that Spektrum is / was the leader in this DSMX technology... It still does not state exactly what is needed to use that JR XG11 with installed DSMX receivers for instance.. Does it need you to change out the receivers??I have about 25 models each with their separate and unique Spektrum DSMX receiver of course, clearly it would be prohibitively expensive to just swap these things out .

[TACO88]

The XG11MV is capable of accepting a module in the back. I used the djt frsky module I had on my 9303 and transferred it to my XG11MV and it worked. I can fly my quads and tricopter since they still have frsky receivers on them, but all my helis fly with DMSS receivers. So if you could locate a dsmx module for the jr then you would be good to go.

[LaDon]

I think spectrum makes a module that will go into the xg11mv. I will say this much tho right now Jr has a deal going on that you will get two free receivers with your radio. That is a smoking deal. It will be the dmss receivers as the xg11mv comes with the dmss module. Jr doesn't supply the spectrum module but if you use those receivers you will get to really like the difference with the dmss and will prolly start switching everything.

[mliebs]

The JR radios look pretty nice but I have to admit the Futabas look pretty appealing too. I wish more LHS carried these things so I could see what I liked and just buy it here.

[Ah Clem]

"Just feel the gymbals on any new JR transmitter. No comparison."

AMEN!

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by Ah Clem

"Just feel the gymbals on any new JR transmitter. No comparison."

AMEN!

Agree. This is one of the shortcommings of a cheaper TX.

Trade off - gimbals for programming function and flexibility. "cake and eat it too" comes to mind.

If price was no object, then Jeti would be the order of the day.

Bring on Horus with hall effect gimbals.

Other way would be to have someone manufacture better quality gimbals that fit in the Taranis shell. However, I doubt this will happen any time soon (I hope I am wrong).

[Ah Clem]

"If price was no object, then Jeti would be the order of the day."

If price was no object, then 28X. Best radio I have flown in four decades.

[LaDon]

Originally Posted by Ah Clem

"If price was no object, then Jeti would be the order of the day."

If price was no object, then 28X. Best radio I have flown in four decades.

I have to agree with Ah Clem here. And I have been flying since the early 80s and by far the best